The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Gerald Dixon, Jr. and his half brother Gerald are the sons of former NFL linebacker Gerald Dixon. Born five months apart to different mothers, both play on the defensive line for the Gamecocks and are NFL prospects. "Junior is a massive nose tackle prospect who can eat blocks and shows better foot quickness than you'd expect for a two-down player," Reuter wrote. "His half brother Gerald (6-2, 282) could be in [the senior] class, but took two medical redshirts to start his career, so scouts might have to wait a year to evaluate him."

247Sports reports that South Carolina HC Steve Spurrier told 2017 four-star quarterback recruit Jake Fromm he would "stay at South Carolina six more years" if Fromm committed to the Gamecocks.

Very interesting timing on this news, as Spurrier told reporters last week that "a few recruits chose to believe" reports that his career was on its "descent." The 70-year-old Spurrier boasts a 226-85-2 career record.

In addition to having a zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence, South Carolina HC Steve Spurrier has a "three [smoking] pots and you’re finished" rule.

"The first positive test for an athlete results in counseling, increased testing and a notification of parents or guardians," explained The State in Columbia. "The second positive test leads to all three of those measures and suspension from 25 percent of athletics competition. The third positive test leads to dismissal." Drug policies vary from school to school. Some have argued the SEC should adopt conference-wide standards.

"They mainly play in the slot, where I play," Cooper said. "Randall is smooth, Percy is really explosive, and Golden Tate, the way he runs after the catch and breaks tackles, he gets a lot of YAC yards." The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Cooper, who posted 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns and added 200 yards and two scores on the ground last year, said his NFL plans after this season won't be affected by whether coach Steve Spurrier returns or retires. "It won't (matter). It depends on this year right here," Cooper said.

South Carolina junior LB Skai Moore expects to drop into coverage more in the school's Tampa 2 scheme.

The inside linebacker in any Tamp 2 scheme is asked to drop deeper than other defenses, splitting the difference between the two safeties in the middle of the field. The school has two defensive coordinators, but Steve Spurrier indicated Jon Hoke will call the plays. Hoke previously worked with the Chicago Bears.

South Carolina redshirt senior OT Brandon Shell "looks like he's suited to play right tackle in the NFL due to average footwork in pass protection, which would prevent him from moving into the late first or early second round," observes NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter.

"But if you want a strong-side tackle who can move the line of scrimmage (he will take smaller defenders 10 yards downfield once locked on) and still reach second-level defenders, then Shell's your man later on the second day (Rounds 2-3) of the draft," Reuter wrote. The 6-foot-6, 327-pound nephew of Hall of Famer Art Shell has started 36 of the last 39 games for the Gamecocks.

The analyst ranks Cooper as the No. 8 receiver in the nation. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Cooper posted 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns last year. He also ran 27 times for 200 yards and two scores and served as a punt returner.

South Carolina junior WR Pharoh Cooper is the "most versatile player in the SEC" and "can catch it, run it, return it, or even throw it," notes NFL Media.

The 5-foot-11, 201-pound Cooper posted 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns (1,411 yards total with 11 touchdowns) last season, earning First Team all-SEC honors at WR and second-team honors as an all-purpose back. He even threw two touchdown passes. "He wasn't especially dangerous on punt returns (5.0-yard average), but he's a defensive coordinator's nightmare," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Chase Goodbread.

NFL Media ranks South Carolina HC Steve Spurrier as the No. 14 best coach in college football.

Spurrier boasts a 226-85-2 career record. "It's pretty impressive that the former Heisman Trophy winner is the all-time winningest coach at two different SEC schools, and he has consistently kept the Gamecocks in the SEC East title race," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Bryan Fischer. "Few are as good at dialing up a big play just when it's needed, and the 'Ol' Ball Coach' remains one of the funniest coaches in the game to boot." Spurrier announced last December that he would be back for at least one more season. "This is a good situation, and I think we can turn it around quickly. I hope so," he said at the time.

ESPN ranks Davis as the No. 37 prospect in the 2016 ESPN 300. "There are plenty of big receivers standing on every street corner, but not many who can move like Davis," Luginbill wrote. "He has receiver speed, tailback power and he can play from the slot. If he lands with a quarterback early he'll be one to watch for early production." If all goes according to plan, Davis could be a three-and-out player.

South Carolina HC Steve Spurrier wants to name a starting QB one week before the school's season opener on September 3 against UNC.

Connor Mitch, Perry Orth and Michael Scarnecchia are the three competing for top quarterback honors. Mitch seemingly is in the lead, but these types of situations are difficult to predict. As a whole, South Carolina struggled on offense last year.

South Carolina DE Marquavius Lewis ranks as the No. 6 immediate impact transfer in the country, in the estimation of NFL Media.

"Lewis, a consensus top-three JC prospect, enrolled early, went through spring practice and showed enough to make folks think he will be a key starter for a Gamecocks defense looking to bounce back from a mediocre season," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin. "Lewis had 18.5 sacks in two seasons at Hutchinson; South Carolina basically had no pass rush last season, finishing last in the SEC with just 14 sacks." The 6-foot-3, 266-pound Lewis was ranked by 247Sports.com as the No. 3 JUCO recruit. He calls Greenwood, S.C. home, the same hometown of Sam Montgomery (Cincinnati Bengals), D.J. Swearinger (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Kelcy Quarles (Indianapolis Colts). Must be the water.

Scout.com ranks South Carolina junior WR Pharoh Cooper as the No. 30 prospect in the class.

Cooper checks in as Scout's No. 4 receiver. "He's built like a running back and is tough to bring down with the ball in his hands because he has speed and quickness," wrote Jamie Newberg. "Cooper is just a playmaker." The 5-foot-11, 201-pound Cooper posted 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns (1,411 yards total with 11 touchdowns) last season, earning First Team all-SEC honors at WR and second-team honors as an all-purpose back. "He's also an excellent return man," Newberg reminded. Over the past two seasons, Cooper has produced five plays of 70-yards or more.

South Carolina junior OLB Skai Moore "lacked ideal bulk for linebacker but in only now entering his junior season, he still has time to add muscle," observed CBS Sports' Rob Rang.

"Moore has the athleticism, instincts and ball-skills to catch the attention of scouts, though without greater mass he may be forced to attempt the difficult transition to safety at the next level," he added. Moore has led the Gamecocks in tackles and interceptions in each of his first two seasons. He's posted 149 stops and seven interceptions in his career.

South Carolina junior WR Pharoh Cooper "reminds of Detroit Lions' all-purpose standout Golden Tate, using a combination of agility, ball-skills and toughness to make plays as a runner, receiver and returner," notes CBS Sports' Rob Rang.

"Cooper has terrific vision, balance and burst to make defenders miss, though he does not possess the elite breakaway speed that his five career scores of 70+ yards would indicate," Rang wrote. The 5-foot-11, 201-pound Cooper really came on last season, grabbing 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns (1,411 yards total with 11 touchdowns). He earned First Team all-SEC honors at WR and second-team notice as an all-purpose back.